Public Meetings - Cornelius, Oregon

The Cornelius City Council held a work session at 6:00 p.m. on the Right-of-Way License Program, followed by a regular session at 7:00 p.m. Key topics included transitioning from franchise agreements to a license system, updates on the former gas station cleanup (S-to-B property), the low-income utility billing relief program, and ratification of a new firefighters union contract. Consent Calendar - Consent agenda – adopted unanimously (motion by Councilor Gordinas, second by Councilor Vaughn). Public Comments & Testimony - Christopher Barrera (2160 S. Alpine St.) – Appealed for help with a neighbor who has parked one of eight cars in front of his home for 30 consecutive days in retaliation after he asked to share street parking. He noted his spouse is a Marine Corps veteran who must park far away while carrying their four-month-old daughter. He requested reallocation of mailboxes that block parking and designation of a handicap or veteran-only spot in front of his home. He stated he would otherwise have to sell his home. - Mariella Garfias (same address) – Explained she grew up in that home (35+ years) and now her family is the third generation. She described neighbors who allow dogs to run off-leash, speed on the block, and have taken over street parking with disregard for other families. She expressed sadness that the neighborhood has become unsafe and that she may have to sell her home. - Patty (214 S. Alpine St.) – Stated she is a direct neighbor of the household causing issues. She reported ongoing harassment for three years, including dogs in her yard, a broken fence, six cameras facing her home, and a recent incident where a neighbor’s child pointed an object that looked like a gun at her home and mimicked shooting. She said police have not taken action despite multiple calls, and she fears for her children’s safety. Council members (Mayor Delano, Councilor Gordinas, Councilor Colgan) expressed concern, thanked the speakers, and committed to working with staff to explore options such as mediation, enforcement, and potential code adjustments. Discussion Items - Right-of-Way License Program (Work Session) – City Manager Peter Brandon and consultant Reba Crocker (via Zoom) presented a plan to replace existing franchise agreements (many expired) with a uniform license system for utilities in the right-of-way (telecom, cable, electricity, gas, water, sewer, stormwater, garbage). The new code would set fees via resolution, allow easier amendment, and be managed by a consultant. Expected to increase revenue by capturing entities not currently paying (e.g., sub-lessees, pass-through utilities). Councilor Colgan questioned whether fees would be passed to residents, noting that utilities can pass costs to customers. Mayor Delano noted that some contracts are expired and fees may be unpaid. Councilor Gordinas and others requested concrete revenue projections. Councilor Vaughn asked about the current status of payments under expired contracts. Reba Crocker stated that even expired contracts require payment if service continues. Discussion also covered backhaul data services and transmission lines. Council generally supported further analysis and development of the ordinance, with a draft expected by end of 2025. - S-to-B Property Update (Former Gas Station Cleanup) – Jeff Schatz (DEQ Project Manager) and Kara Master (DEQ Brownfields Coordinator) presented results of Phase II environmental site assessment (funded by EPA). Key findings: gasoline hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater in the western portion of the site, and high levels of petroleum in soil gas (650,000 µg/m³, 15x the commercial standard). Arsenic was detected in two samples near a former railroad spur. Planned work for October 2025 includes decommissioning five underground storage tanks (two removed, three abandoned in place), additional sampling, and excavation of contaminated soil if feasible. The work is funded by DEQ’s State Response Grant. City Manager Brandon also summarized a market study for redevelopment of the site (along with Western States fire apparatus building and Grande Foods building), which indicated strong retail demand, cautious signal for market-rate multifamily, strong demand for affordable multifamily, challenging office market, and not yet feasible hospitality. Council expressed excitement about progress and discussed potential educational opportunities for local students. - Low-Income Utility Billing Relief Program Update – Assistant City Manager Ellie Jones reported on the program adopted October 7, 2024. In 11 months, 34 accounts have received assistance (57 bills paid), totaling $8,300 of the allocated $44,000 in ARPA funds. 22 accounts received the maximum $300 within 12 months. Staff provides direct one-on-one contact with customers facing shutoff. Councilor Gordinas expressed concern that funds may not be fully used by the December 2026 deadline and suggested increasing the number of times a customer can receive assistance per year (currently two). Council consensus supported exploring modifications to ensure full fund utilization. Councilor Vaughn asked if the program could be expanded to help with other utilities like power bills; staff said they would look into it. - Proclamation: Hispanic Heritage Month, September 2025 – Councilor Lopez read the proclamation in Spanish; Mayor Delano read the English version. The month is observed Sept. 15–Oct. 15. Key Outcomes - Resolution 2025-43 (IAFF Collective Bargaining Agreement) – Ratified the 2025-2028 agreement with International Association of Firefighters Local 1660. Key terms: 3% wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2025; 4% increases on July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027; step scale reduced from eight to seven; new 3% incentive for EMT intermediate/advanced certification; comp time option; Juneteenth added as holiday; uniform provisions for 40-hour vs. 53-hour work week employees. Motion by Councilor Gordinas, second by Councilor Colgan. Passed unanimously (5-0). Councilor Colgan expressed concern that wage increases outpace property tax revenue growth. - Resolution 2025-44 (IGA Amendment with Washington County for Police Services) – Approved a 6.2% increase in the cost of police services, raising the total contract to just under $3.3 million (from $2.9 million two years ago). Motion by Councilor Colgan, second by Councilor Lopez. Passed unanimously (5-0). Councilor Colgan noted that such increases may eventually force service reductions. - Next steps – Staff will explore increasing the number of utility relief assistance periods per year and report back. The right-of-way license ordinance and fee resolution will be drafted and brought back for consideration by end of 2025. Tank decommissioning at the S-to-B property is scheduled for October 2025 with a contractor selected soon.

On September 2, 2025, the Cornelius Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider two major land use proposals: a 240-unit apartment complex and a 34-lot townhome subdivision. Both applications were approved unanimously after staff presentations, applicant testimony, and public comments. The meeting also included approval of several sets of minutes and a discussion of the planning work program. Consent Calendar - The commission approved the minutes of February 11, March 11, May 27, June 2, and June 10, 2025, by a unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Baker made the motion, and Commissioner Glover seconded. Chair Waffle noted that the AI-aided minutes were working well. Public Comments & Testimony - Haney Multifamily Development (DR6825, LLA 2-25): Jeffrey Loy, a local resident, expressed concerns about traffic congestion, parking, and the scale of the project. He questioned the number of notices sent to nearby property owners and whether the housing would be low-income. No other members of the public testified in favor or opposition. - Council Cove Subdivision (CUP PUD 1-25, SUB 1-25): Paul Price, a resident of Kermican Drive, voiced strong opposition, citing traffic safety on North 19th Avenue, loss of wildlife habitat and old-growth trees, impacts on Council Creek, and the relocation of the Schiller Park entrance. He argued that the development would cause dangerous traffic conditions. Jeff Loy, representing the Schiller Park HOA, opposed the project, raising concerns about losing overflow parking, increased traffic speeds, and the proposed relocation of their access point. He stated that if the development were approved, they would consider legal action. Discussion Items - Haney Multifamily Development (DR6825, LLA 2-25): Senior Planner Tim Franz presented the staff report, recommending approval. The proposal includes 240 units in 10 three-story buildings, a clubhouse, pool, dog park, community garden, and 434 parking spaces (1.8 per unit). The applicant, Hilary Harris of Harper Hoff Peterson Regalis, presented the site plan, noting that the development would be market-rate, not subsidized housing. The commission discussed parking, bike lanes, EV charging, trash service, and road improvements. Commissioner Baker inquired about parking ratios, and Commissioner Hinse asked about fire access. The commission also noted that the North Davis Street extension would complete a missing link in the transportation system. - Council Cove Subdivision (CUP PUD 1-25, SUB 1-25): Staff Planner Barbara Freyer presented the proposal for a 34-lot attached townhome subdivision with a planned unit development (PUD) and conditional use permit. The project includes a water quality facility upgrade, a looped water line, and a pedestrian/bicycle access road. The applicant, Wayne Hayson of Pioneer Design Group, explained that the development would use woonerf-style streets to minimize traffic impacts and provide 20 off-street parking spaces for visitors. The commission discussed parking, HOA responsibilities, garbage storage, and the relocation of the Schiller Park entrance. The applicant clarified that the entrance relocation was required by the existing Schiller Park plat. Staff noted that the development meets all applicable code criteria and that the city engineer has reviewed the transportation impacts. Key Outcomes - Haney Multifamily Development: Approved unanimously (5-0) based on the staff report, supplemental report, and public testimony. Commissioner Baker made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Glover. The approval includes conditions, notably the addition of bicycle parking near the leasing office and ODOT permitting requirements. - Council Cove Subdivision: Approved unanimously (5-0) with a modification to condition 9 (removing the second and third sentences). The motion was made by Commissioner Baker and seconded by Commissioner Glover. The approval is based on the staff report, public testimony, and evidence; the remaining condition requires dedication of an 8-foot public utility easement adjacent to the right-of-way at plat recordation. - Work Program: Staff outlined a lengthy list of long-range planning projects, including a comprehensive plan update, climate-friendly and equitable communities compliance, housing production strategy, and updates to the transportation system plan. The commission will hold future work sessions on these topics. The next scheduled meeting is September 9, 2025, with a potential additional meeting on November 18, 2025, if needed.